I have a brilliant recording of Chopin's waltzes by Dinu Lipati that is probably my favorite bit of musical accompaniment for reading. Usually I don't like having background noise when I'm reading, but this one is an exception.

I think there's something about reading 19th century literature while listening to 19th century piano music that transports you into that world. Perhaps it's the fact that this music would be what people would be most likely to have in their homes when they were reading the same novels or poems.

Credo Buffa wrote:I think there's something about reading 19th century literature while listening to 19th century piano music that transports you into that world. Perhaps it's the fact that this music would be what people would be most likely to have in their homes when they were reading the same novels or poems.

I thought this was just me - Credo, great minds do think alike.

I thought I was weird in doing that.

Reading romantic poetry and listening to Classical/romantic era composers is an audio/visual feast

If you check your e-mail later you may find something to start your "education" with

I can also email some classical music to anyone interested. I made a playlist for myself of some of my favorite classical pieces. I have pieces by Chopin, Vivaldi, Hayden, Tchikovsky, Listz, Bach, Pachelbel, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Brahms, and Scubert. I'm kind of disappointed that I don't have any Mozart. Most of it is piano...it's my favorite instrument.

I think there's something about reading 19th century literature while listening to 19th century piano music that transports you into that world.

I totally agree! I love 19th century classical piano!

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
-Henry Miller

Oh, don't get me wrong. I LOVE Mozart. I just don't own a CD so I couldn't put his compositions on my playlist. I'm going to have to fix that. I listen to Mozart reguarly on the radio though! And I have some Mozart sheet music that I can play rather poorly.

I am absolutely in love with his opera the Marriage of Figaro. I'm not usually a big opera fan, but I really like this one. I also like Carmen by Bizet. Can't listen to it when I read Keats though. In fact any music with lyrics or vocals distracts me when I read.

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
-Henry Miller

If you want a really good collection of Mozart all in one go, I'd recommend the complete soundtrack to Amadeus. It includes selections from some of his greatest works, and the performances are spectacular (which is only natural coming from Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields; my personal favorite conductor/ensemble combination for Mozart).

I have an odd relationship with Bach. I love to play Bach on the flute; it's like you can feel his mind working and the meticulous construction when you play. But as for listening to Bach. . . I can't say that I don't like it, but I definitely don't have the response I do to most other composers.

However, I love listening to Bach as realized by Bela Fleck on banjo. Give me a piece by Bach for its original instrumentation, and I shrug. Give me that same piece with Bela Fleck playing it, and I'm there.

No. Not weird at all. That's what I meant by realizing their genius--no matter through what channel. I don't have the same otherworldly, out of body experience listening to Bach like I do when I listen to Beethoven, either...but his sheer, technical talent...

I love to play Bach on the flute; it's like you can feel his mind working and the meticulous construction when you play. But as for listening to Bach. . .

The same thing happens to me on the piano! I love playing Bach's pieces because you can really get into the pattern of the notes. The pieces that I have played are almost mathematical. When you analyze you can appreciate his genius.

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself."
-Henry Miller